NO. 1: GAMES OF THE XXXI OLYMPIAD

OPENING CEREMONY

For openers, there was an unsubstantiated story circulating last week that NBC was trying to get the IOC to change the order of the 207-strong Parade of Nations based on the English pronunciation of the countries (United States) versus the Portuguese (Estados Unidos), putting the U.S. at the usual far back and building the audience. Thing is, the IOC always goes by the language of the host country.

No comprende?

However and whenever Team America ends up marching into Brazil’s Maracana Stadium — in that mish-mash of Ralph Lauren red, white and blue (made in China?) and led by a to-be-named flag bearer who gets to wear a jacket with special electroluminescent panels — the event promises to be celebratory in a perhaps less showy, and far less expensive, that previous Opening Ceremonies in London and China. “We are in a financial crisis, everybody knows,” said Fernando Meirelles, the movie director who is one of four overseeing this. “It wouldn’t be fair to spend money that London spent in their ceremony (a reported $41.5 million). … I guess I’d be ashamed to waste what London spent in a country where we need sanitation, where education needs money. … So I’m very glad we are not spending money like crazy. I’m happy to work with this low budget because it makes sense for Brazil.” Let that ring going forward, especially to L.A. if it has to plan one for 2024.

NO. 2: MLB: DODGERS vs. BOSTON

Details/TV: At Dodger Stadium, Friday-Sunday, SportsNet LA, FS1

Boston Herald reporter Michael Silverman wrote last June: “One of the best trades the Red Sox ever made tilted more in their favor when news from Los Angeles broke yesterday that the Dodgers had designated left fielder Carl Crawford for assignment.” Circling back to that August 2012 crazy-train deal, Crawford and his $100 million-plus salary that continues on through 2017 was wedged into the Dodgers’ payroll along with pitcher Josh Beckett and infielder Nick Punto all so they could get first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. In return, the Dodgers sent back five: first baseman James Loney, pitching prospects Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, infielder Ivan De Jesus and outfielder Jerry Sands. Just four summers later, only A-Gon remains in L.A. and none of those five are with this Boston team (but all are still playing somewhere). Both teams have also changed GMs and managers as well since 2012, plus Hanley Ramirez has drifted over to Boston from L.A. and is good for an error or two a game in left field or first base. David Ortiz, retiring this season, has played just one game at Dodger Stadium in the past, going 0 for 3.

Also this week: Dodgers at Colorado, Tuesday-Thursday, 5:40 p.m., SNLA

NO. 3: NFL: RAMS SCRIMMAGE

Details/TV: At the Coliseum, Saturday, 3 p.m.

This is open to the public, a dress rehearsal that includes everything as if it was the team’s home game — which there will be the next Saturday, when Dallas comes over for a real exhibition (isn’t that an oxymoron?) on Aug. 13.

NO. 4: PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION

Details/TV: At Canton, Ohio; Saturday, 4 p.m., NFL Network

Two members of the Rams’ family are going into this Hall – linebacker/defensive end Kevin Greene and tackle Orlando Pace. Also honored are quarterbacks Brett Favre and Ken Stabler, coach Tony Dungy, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, guard Dick Stanfel and owner Edward DeBartolo Jr. The follow-up is a Green Bay-Indianapolis exhibition game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Sunday (5 p.m., ESPN)

NO. 5: MLS: GALAXY vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS

Details/TV: At StubHub Center, Saturday, 6:30 p.m., FS1

Last May, the Red Bull posted a 7-0 win over the rival New York City FC at Yankee Stadium, tying the MLS record for a road-team triumph (the Galaxy once won at Dallas, 8-1, in 1998). Their lone meeting last year was a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena near Newark, New Jersey. The last meeting between the two at Carson was in 2014, a 4-0 Galaxy win over Thierry Henry’s team when Landon Donovan assisted on two Robbie Keane goals and another by Gyasi Zardes.

NO. 6: MLB: ANGELS vs. OAKLAND

Details/TV: At Angel Stadium, Tuesday-Thursday, FSW

Angels’ No. 3 hitter Mike Trout leads the league in walks, and No. 4 hitter Albert Pujols is among the league leaders in RBIs. So that’s how it’s done. After this series, the two teams scrambling to stay out of the AL West basement still have six more encounters.

NO. 7: WORLD SURFING GAMES

With the Vans U.S. Open at Huntington Beach finished, the La Jolla-based International Surfing Association, recognized by the IOC as the governing body of the sport under consideration to be added to the 2020 Tokyo Games, holds its own version of the surf Olympics as nations compete as a team, plus men’s and women’s divisions, for gold medals. San Clemente’s Tia Blanco of the U.S. won women’s gold last year and will defend her title. More info: www.isaworlds.com

NO. 8: PGA TOUR: TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

For those not traveling to Rio, here is the road more traveled. It has but a modest $6.6 million purse, and defending champion Bubba Watson will play before heading off to the Olympics.

NO. 9: NASCAR SPRINT CUP:

PENNSYLVANIA 400

Details/TV: At Pocono Raceway, Monday, 8 a.m., NBCSN

CHEEZ IT 355

Details/TV: At Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, 11:30 a.m., USA Network

A two-for-one week of NASCAR. Rained out from Sunday, as they were last time at Pocono in June, the Penn 400 gets pushed back a day. Martin Truex Jr. starts on the pole and Jeff Gordon, in car No. 88, starts 24th. After these two, there are five more events before we get to the Round of 16 at Chicagoland (Sept. 18).

NO. 10: ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE

L.A. KISS at PORTLAND

Details/TV: Monday, 7 p.m.

Week 18 and the end of another indoor football league regular season. The playoffs start Saturday, and guess what – all eight teams are in. The KISS (7-8) aren’t just trying to finish a respectable .500, but also be the second seed from the National Conference and earn a home game with a win here.

Tom Hoffarth is a freelancer. He had been with the Daily News/Southern California News Group since 1992 as a general assignment sports reporter, columnist and specialist in the sports media. He has been honored by the Associated Press for sports columnists and honored by the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association for his career work. His favorite sportscaster of all time: Vin Scully, for professional and personal reasons. He considers watching Zenyatta win the Breeders' Cup 2009 Classic to be the most memorable sporting event he has covered in his career. Go figure that.

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